The Castle, EC1

I was on my way to a match in Luton and had a gap in my schedule before getting my train from Farringdon station so went in the nearest pub. It was about 5:30pm, evidently a busy period for a pub close to the station. There were three hand pumps, with Timothy Taylor Landlord, Dark Star Hophead and a rugby special from Black Sheep. I asked for a pint of Hophead and the lass behind the bar asked me for £5.90. I said, aren't you going to pour it first? She said that she always asks for the money first, but I've heard this one before so I observed her serving other people and she always started to pour the drinks first, so she must have thought I looked particularly disreputable. Did she really think I was going to grab the drink and run off with it without paying? (Or sup it and run? I'm neither a quick drinker nor quick on my feet.) In fact I didn't even pick the glass up until she had responded to my request to top it up - the head was well over 10% of the height of the glass. My notes tell me that the beer was in very good condition (NBSS 3.5) but I have very little recall of this visit other than the way I was served. I don't intend to return to refresh my memory. Date of visit: 28th February 2023

Interesting pub on the street round & near Farrindon station. Now good beer guide listed

Large roomed traditionl style pub with plenty of dark wood in evidence,four handpumps with two beers on, Timmy Taylors Landlord and Northern Monk Eternal, coming soon was Doom Bar (cant wait) and something from Brew York, the Eternal was hellishly expensive at £6.00 a pint. There are better pubs not too far away, I probably won't be back in this one.

Decent pub and very handy for the train or tube. If you have time to kill whilst waiting you could do a lot worse. A choice of beers on and kept well.

Fair-sized pub opposite Farringdon station with a bustling feel and a fair range of beers. Large bar at the front with a further room behind and something upstairs but didn't venture there. Like the 3 Compasses opposite, it attracts a large crowd on the road outside in warm weather. Cask Marque accredited.